John 4

John 4  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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The Lord taught the woman at the well three significant things that would mark the change from the old order of worship in the old dispensation to the new order of worship in Christianity. This would result from believers having "the living water" of the Spirit of God dwelling in them (the "fountain") as the power for the new worship (vss. 10, 14). Fountain water (geyser) has energy in it and is a picture of the power of the Spirit in the believer.
Secondly, there was a new revelation in connection with the Person worshipped. In Judaism, God was known as Jehovah and Israel worshipped Him as such, but now in Christianity He is worshipped as “the Father” of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a nearer and more intimate relationship with God.
Thirdly, there would be a new character of worship. The worship in Judaism was of an earthly order and was aided by mechanical instruments of music, and carried out through a system of rituals and ceremonies. But the new order of worship in Christianity would be purely a spiritual thing. Believers would worship the Father in “spirit” (spiritually – chap. 6:63) and according to the new revelation of “truth” that would accompany the new dispensation. In Christianity, we offer up “spiritual sacrifices,” aided by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5); Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)) in contrast to the “carnal ordinances” in the Judaic order (Heb. 9:1010Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:10)). This is done in the immediate presence of God (Heb. 10:1919Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)), which is a privilege that Israel didn’t have. Since Christians worship “in spirit and in truth,” they can sit quietly in a chair and there could be produced in their souls and spirits true worship of God the Father by the Holy Spirit, without the need of those outward forms that mark earthly religion. This is true heavenly worship.
Jewish worship of the old dispensation appeals to the human senses because it is an earthly and sensual means of approaching God. It is stimulated by:
•  Sight—i.e. the grandeur of the temple (1 Kings 10:4-54And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, 5And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. (1 Kings 10:4‑5); Mark 13:11And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! (Mark 13:1); Luke 21:55And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, (Luke 21:5)).
•  Smell—i.e. the burning incense that made a compelling atmosphere (Ex. 30:34-3834And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 35And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 36And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 37And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord. 38Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people. (Exodus 30:34‑38)).
•  Taste—i.e. eating the sacrifices (Deut. 14:2626And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, (Deuteronomy 14:26)).
•  Hearing—i.e. beautiful music produced by the orchestra and accompaniment of the choir (1 Chron. 25:1, 3, 6-71Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: (1 Chronicles 25:1)
3Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord. (1 Chronicles 25:3)
6All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. 7So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the Lord, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight. (1 Chronicles 25:6‑7)).
•  Touch—i.e. participating in the offerings in a physical way, i.e. dancing and lifting up hands (2 Sam. 6:13-1413And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 14And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:13‑14); 1 Kings 8:2222And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: (1 Kings 8:22)).